PEGS is delighted to be able to share the winners of our 2023 CPA Hero award.

Police officers, family support worker, MARAC co-ordinator, social workers and friends and family of parents, carers and guardians who are experiencing child to parent abuse were all nominated for an award.

CPA Heroes was first launched in 2022 with the aim to celebrate and recognise those individuals who are going above and beyond to provide support and a difference to those impacted by child to parent abuse (CPA). Child to parent abuse is believed to affect upwards of 3% of the UK population but remains a much-hidden form of abuse.

This year the PEGS team introduced an international award to include those who are supporting parents, carers and guardians or who are raising awareness of child to parent abuse outside of the UK.

Nominations were revealed a the end of 2023 with the winners being announced early 2024, the winners for the UK were, a friend of a parent experiencing child to parent abuse and Helen Canning, a family support worker from Vale Family First in Vale of Glamorgan. For the international award Tabatha Ross Brown, CEO of Parent Real Talk won the award.

Founding Director Michelle John said “It was such a tough decision for the judging team, seeing the nominations come through and hearing about the difference those people made for parents, carers and guardians during some of the most difficult and heartbreak situations is the reason why CPA Hero exists. It is important we shine a light on child to parent abuse but it is equally important we shine a light on those who are making an impact to those experiencing CPA, who are raising awareness and who are pushing for change.

A huge congratulations to all nominees and winners”.

The parent who nominated the family support worker said that

“Helen never gave up with me, continued to see me weekly providing much needed advice, support and just someone to listen to me on a weekly basis. I had many a dark week and seeing Helen always helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. She is a fantastic support worker and a credit to her team. She really is a wonderful human and she deserves an award to recognise this.”

Tabatha’s nomination read

“Tabatha is simply incredible, she has single handedly created an organisation for parents, campaigned to have CPA recognised by her state, stood up and spoke out for those who do not have a voice and she continues to push for change so that parents in America are seen, heard and supported. Tabatha’s drive, enthusiasm and passion for helping those experiencing this form of abuse is inspiring, her work is more than just work, it is changing the lives of parents in Michigan and further afield. Tabatha is part of the solution those impacted by CPA need”. Tabatha said she was honoured, excited and grateful to have won the award

You can find out more about the organisations mentioned at

https://www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/en/living/social_care/children_and_young_people/families_first/Families-First.aspx

https://www.parentrealtalk.com/copy-of-who-we-are